Sadly for the ones that want an IS version of this lens, I have little faith that such a lens will be coming any time soon. Patents can sometimes appear after a product has been announced, and that’s probably what has happened here.

So they will make an overpriced V2 and then have plans for a IS version. Why didn't they just make the V2 have IS?

It is quite simple really. Canon will first launch the overpriced 24-70L II, and then they will launch the 24-70L II IS at an ever higher price!The pricetag of the IS version will then make the non IS version look like a bargain!

This strategy seems to have worked with both the 70-200 f/2.8 & f4. The IS versions makes the non-IS versions look like a bargain....and they probably are!

Smart move from Canon and now there is a lens they can charge 2500 for and people will go for it. Maybe they should have asked $2500 for the mk2 and 2900 for this, people would still defend it b/c it would became a status symbol like....

I know others would like a stabilized version of this but I cannot see the use in this focal range for what I shoot. That is just my $0.02. I am sure others would so I'd be fine with two versions of this lens at two price points.

from what I gather (i do not own any of these lenses, much to the pitty), the Tamron is egual to, if not better than the Canon mkI in optical quality and is ~20% cheaper AND has VC. The Mk II is hailed to have supirior optics, but no IS and costs 2.3x the price... An IS version of MkI or MkII would be closer to 3000€ (as dilbert suggested), 3x the price of the Tamron... Seems a little overpriced!

I honestly think Canon is not in the most competative position for its standard 24-70 zooms... they are pricing themselves out of the race...

Competition is always good, any new lens from any maker is good for all of us, directly or indirectly! I say, let canon bring an IS version out, let it be stupidly overpriced, and let them learn their lesson!

Two possibilities.1.) This was one of the lenses tested for the MkII of the 24-70L and it was just patented for the sake of being patented.2.) Canon actually listens what people want and on top of that Tamron has put pressure on them with their stabilized lens, so they are bringing one out.I'm willing to bet on the first option though...

The first option is most accurate.

The original patent filing date (Dec 2010) would have been made before they decided on which design option to release. As soon as they make the options/alternatives available for field testing they become public domain and you can lose the opportunity to patent the idea later. As such, all designs (5-6 as per CR original post) would have been patented at that time, to protect all designs they may release, and thats long before Tamron announced theirs.

Deciding to follow through and publish the patent indicates they want to protect their intellectual property in that design embodiment, but is no definite indicator they will ever produce one.